Page 241 of Of Masks and Fury

Trew’s eyebrows rose. “Your court frowns on magic.”

“My court is full of sycophants clinging to outdated fears.” Darvon’s voice hardened. “I’ve watched what bonded warriors can accomplish. The strength, the connection, and the purpose it gives them. If magic is the future, I’d rather embrace it than be destroyed by my own prejudice.”

I studied him, searching for deception and finding only determination. “You’re taking a risk. Your nobles won’t appreciate this.”

“My nobles will appreciate being alive if the Skathes come.” He turned back to Trew. “Do we have an agreement?”

“What other conditions do you have?” I asked.

“Nothing. You’ve heard my offer. I…” He lifted his hand and turned it palm-up. Frowning at it, he generated a small flame that licked across the surface. “I want to learn how to do more and that knowledge isn’t available to me in my own court.” When he looked up, I saw only hope in his eyes. “Agreement?”

Trew looked at me, a question in his golden eyes. I lifted my brows, leaving this to him.

“We do,” Trew said. “Your forces combined with ours will give us time to seal the veil permanently.”

“I wish you well, then. Closing it will take away the Skathe threat, and then we can focus on Cyril.” Darvon’s expression grew grim. “My spies report that Caldrith’s army is only days from yourborder. They’re marching fast, they’re heavily armed, and they’re showing no signs of slowing.”

We knew this already, but the confirmation of our assessment settled like a heavy weight in my gut. Time was running out.

“We’re ready to meet them,” Trew said.

Darvon’s perceptive gaze swept across us both. “And my people will stand beside them.”

“Thank you.”

We shook hands and Darvon left to arrange his forces.

Once the guards had been dismissed, Trew sat on his throne again, this time pulling me down onto his lap.

“This alliance gives us a chance,” he said quietly. “But I don’t see how attempting to seal the veil will do anything but endanger you.”

I stroked his face. “We face it as one. That’s what we do.”

He stroked my shoulders. “That doesn’t make the fear any easier to carry.”

We held each other, stealing this moment of peace before the next crisis demanded our attention.

“We need to see Addie,” I finally said. “Then fly south.” Rest would have to wait.

Trew nodded, but his arms tightened around me, as if he could keep me safe through sheer force of will alone.

We remained in silence broken only by our shared breathing.

When we entered the healer’s room, we found Addie propped up in a sitting position, her color significantly better than when we’d left. Her silver drake dozed on the bed beside her, his scales catching the afternoon light.

“You’re back.” She tried to sit up straighter, wincing. “Did you save the prisoners?”

“We did. Eighteen chose to come here. The others took coin and left to start over wherever the fates may take them.” I settled on the edge of her bed and filled her in on everything that happened.

“You’re sure your head is alright?” she asked, stroking my arm in sympathy.

“It’s better already. Mae is with us.”

“You brought her with you?”

“Father forced her into the Day of Mercy.”

Anger flashed in my sister’s eyes. “What did you do to him?”